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Category: Preparing for Surgery

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For Med Pros Preparing for Surgery

    CF Nutrition Products During Cancer Treatment

CF Nutrition products help nourish, hydrate, and better prepare your patients for surgery. Our products may be beneficial to your patients diagnosed with cancer to help them recover faster after surgery and to stay hydrated during treatments. 

 CF(Preop)® Before a Cancer Procedure

   If your patient is undergoing surgery related to their cancer treatment, CF(Preop)® can help them enhance their recovery after surgery. We recommend advising your patients to consume one CF(Preop)® at 8:00 PM the night before their surgery and one CF(Preop)® on the morning of their surgery (up to two hours before surgery/procedure).

           ERAS® protocols, specifically preoperative carbohydrate loading before surgery, have shown positive results in recent studies on cancer patients. Often, surgical resection is the only cure for certain types of cancer. During surgery, the body’s stress response increases, inhibiting immune function and increasing inflammatory markers (Wang et al.). In turn, recovery is delayed, and the risk for infection and postoperative complications increases. The goal of ERAS® protocols is to maintain organ function and decrease stress response following surgery. By reducing the stress response, the body will return to normal physiology sooner, which is crucial in cancer patients. Therefore, consuming CF(Preop)® before surgery will allow them to recover from their surgery sooner and decrease the risk for postoperative complications. 

CF Nutrition Products During Chemotherapy 

 If your patient is undergoing chemotherapy, consuming CF(Rehydrate)® throughout their chemotherapy duration can help them replenish their body with medical-grade nutrition and hydration needed to prevent dehydration. 

 If they are receiving chemotherapy, replenishing their body afterward is crucial. Dehydration is a common side effect of cancer treatments. Additionally, vomiting and diarrhea are also common side effects of chemotherapy which again lead to dehydration. We recommend advising patients to consume CF(Rehydrate)® or  CF(Rehydrate)® IMMUNITY+ after their session, along with the days following. In doing so, they will replenish their body with the vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and fluid they need to feel better as soon as possible. Consuming CF(Rehydrate)® or  CF(Rehydrate)® IMMUNITY+ throughout their chemotherapy duration can help your patient to combat chemotherapy’s adverse side effects and prevent dehydration.  

         Unfortunately, if your patient is receiving chemotherapy, CF(Protein)® may not be recommended. It is important to note CF(Protein)® contains turmeric. Turmeric has blood-thinning properties and may interact with certain chemotherapy medications. When it comes to turmeric, the dosage does make a difference. There is 0.3g of turmeric in one bottle of CF(Protein)®.  Curcumin may act as an estrogen hormone. So, it may make hormone-sensitive conditions worse. Although this is not proven, if your patient has any hormone-sensitive need, avoid turmeric or use it with caution and only with MD approval. Hormone-sensitive conditions include breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids.

Now that you know what CF Nutrition products may be right for your patient undergoing a procedure or cancer treatment, head to our website to learn more and receive samples for your patients to try. 

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Featured Posts For Med Pros Preparing for Surgery Presurgery Nutrition

What is ERAS®?

     ERAS® stands for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery. In the 1990s, Professor Henrik Kehlet founded Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®), specifically in colorectal surgeries. There is now available research on ERAS in colorectal, vascular, thoracic, urosurgery, spine, neurosurgery, orthopedic, liver, pancreatic, and cardiac surgery. In the early 2000’s an ERAS society was formed that dedicated time to research preoperative care to improve recovery after surgery. The ERAS® society discovered that some traditional practices were no longer the best practice through evidence-based research. Since then, ERAS has gained much more consideration because of its overall advantageous effect on recovery after surgery, increased patient comfort, psychological well-being, decreased complications post-surgery, and reduced length of stay (LOS). 

What are the main pillars of ERAS®?

      The main ERAS® principles include protocols for preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care. All ERAS® protocols aim to lessen the body’s response to surgical trauma and maintain normal physiological function during surgery. 

ERAS® preoperative principles include:

  • pre admission counseling
  • fluid and carbohydrate loading
  • removing prolonged fasting
  • no/selective bowel preparation
  • antibiotic prophylaxis
  • thromboprophylaxis
  • no premedication

ERAS® intraoperative protocols include:

  • short-acting anesthetic agents
  • no drains
  • mid-thoracic epidural anesthesia
  • avoidance of salt and water overload
  • maintenance of normothermia

ERAS® postoperative protocols include:

  •  mid-thoracic epidural anesthesia
  • no nasogastric tubes
  • prevention of nausea and vomiting
  • avoidance of salt and water overload
  • early removal of the catheter
  • early oral nutrition
  • non-opioid oral analgesia NSAID
  • early mobilization
  • stimulation of gut motility
  • an audit of compliance and outcomes

What is the goal of ERAS® protocols? 

       As mentioned before, the goal of ERAS® protocols is to reduce the stress response of surgery. When the body undergoes surgical trauma, it can result in a metabolic state of stress. When the body is in this catabolic state, recovery will be slower, and complications are more likely to occur. Some complications associated with this exaggerated stress response are pain, paralytic ileus, increased cardiac demand, respiratory difficulties, increased insulin resistance, and increased infections. These complications lead to delayed recovery post-surgery. By lessening the body’s response to stress, ERAS® protocols help achieve early recovery and decrease LOS. Increased LOS and increased complications post-surgery is a significant issue for many medical professionals. ERAS® is beneficial to both the hospitals due to decreased LOS and costs and the patient as it increases patients comfort, reduces anxiety, and leads to faster recovery. 

Nutrition’s Role in ERAS®

    Nutritional status is critical before surgery. Ideally, a nutritional assessment is done before any surgery to reduce the risk of postoperative complications, increased length of stay, and infection risk. A patient can be diagnosed with mild or severe malnutrition by the MD. A Registered Dietitian assesses the patient for mild to severe malnutrition. The following criteria from Academy Adult Malnutrition Criteria (ASPEN) help to identify moderate malnutrition. A patient must have at least two of following to be diagnosed with moderate malnutrition: weight loss >2% in 1 week, >5% in one month, or >7.5% in 3 months; Energy intake less than or equal to 50% compared to estimated needs for greater than or equal to 5 days; Moderate body fat depletion; Moderate muscle mass depletion; Moderate to Severe Fluid Accumulation; and reduced grip strength. Furthermore, a patient must have at least two of the following to be diagnosed with severe malnutrition: Weight loss 1-2% in 1 week, 5% in one most, 7.5% in 3 months; Energy intake <75% compared to estimated needs in 7 days; mild body fat depletion; mild muscle mass depletion; Mild fluid accumulation; and Reduced grip strength. 

How to correct malnutrition before surgery?

If you need to correct malnutrition before surgery, using CF(Protein)® is a great way to build muscle and strength for a speedy recovery. Other ways to improve nutritional status can include enteral or parenteral nutrition. Obese patients may need to lose excess weight before surgery.

Why should you use CF(Preop)® over the NPO approach?

     Before ERAS® protocols, the traditional approach to surgery was to fast after midnight before surgery to decrease aspiration risk. In the 1990s, evidence-based research suggested that this was not necessary. Furthermore, there are detrimental effects caused by this period of prolonged fasting. Prolonged fasting worsens the catabolic state, increases metabolic stress, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance. Furthermore, when the body fasts for a lengthy time, glycogen stores are depleted, leading to protein and muscle breakdown. Postoperative insulin resistance (PIR), a result of the stress response from surgery and further exaggerated with prolonged fasting, is directly related to delayed wound healing, increased morbidity/mortality, and LOS. PIR must decrease to enhance recovery after surgery.

Preoperative carbohydrate loading maximizes glycogen stores in the body as an energy source to minimize body tissues’ degeneration and reduce insulin resistance. By changing the metabolic state by shortening preoperative fasting (aka providing a complex carbohydrate 2-3 hours before surgery), PIR will decrease, protein loss reduces, and muscle function will improve. Additionally, preoperative carbohydrate loading increases patients’ comfort and reduces hunger, thirst, and anxiety, leading to surgery, all decreasing stress entering surgery. 

Specific Amounts of Nutrients Needed to Support Enhanced Recovery

CF(Preop)®  is a clear, colorless drink specifically formulated by an anesthesiologist for safe consumption hours before surgery. Each of its premium ingredients promote the highest level of pre surgery safety, comfort, and nourishment. It is designed to lower the risk of surgical site infections, reduce post-op recovery time, minimize post-op complication risk, and promote comfort and minimize stress. 

CF(Preop)®  is formulated for surgery and has all the ASA requirements to make it safe for consumption before your surgery. These requirements include a low osmolarity of 270mOsm to promote gastric emptying. It is clear and colorless and has no fat or protein and contains 50g CHO to shift the body from a fasted to fed state and promote enhanced recovery. It contains maltodextrin to help replenish glycogen depletion by catabolism related to fasting and surgery. Choosing to drink CF(Preop)® before your surgery helps you feel back to normal as soon as possible. 

Now that you know everything about ERAS® and how to prepare for surgery, visit our website to learn more. 

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Featured Posts For Med Pros Preparing for Surgery

CF(Preop)® Before Surgery

Is CF(Preop)® safe before surgery?

Yes, CF(Preop)® is safe before surgery. CF(Preop)® was designed to be a pre-surgical drink. When you order CF(Preop)® you will be sent two bottles. One to be taken the night before your procedure, and one to be taken up to two hours prior to your surgery.

Since 1999 (and republished in 2011 & 2017) the American Society of Anesthesiologists guidelines on preoperative fasting have dictated that it is safe for healthy patients to have clear liquids up to 2 hours before surgery.

Click here to see the latest guidelines from the American Society for Anesthesiologists. 

Why was NPO even started?

Before Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) protocols were discovered, the traditional approach was to fast after midnight prior to surgery to decrease the risk for aspiration. In the 1990’s, evidence-based research suggested that this was not necessary. Furthermore, there are detrimental effects caused by this period of prolonged fasting. Prolonged fasting worsens the catabolic state, increases metabolic stress, hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. Furthermore, when the body is fasted for a prolonged time, glycogen stores are depleted which can lead to protein and muscle breakdown. Postoperative insulin resistance (PIR), a result of the stress response from surgery and further exaggerated with prolonged fasting, is directly related to delayed wound healing, increased morbidity/mortality and length of stay. 

Why is CF(Preop)® consumed up to 2 hours before surgery?

It takes approximately 90 minutes for the oral carbohydrate solution to pass the stomach. Solid foods can be ingested up to 6 hours prior to surgery. The amount of carbohydrate to induce an effect must be enough to shift the body from a fasted to a fed state (50g carbohydrate 2 hours prior to surgery). There is no protein or fat in CF(Preop)® in order for it to safely empty your stomach before surgery. 

If you or your patient have delayed gastric emptying due to an underlying condition,  CF(Preop)®  should be consumed 3-4 hours before the procedure. 

How can I be sure that CF(Preop)® is out of my system in time?

Low osmolarity 240mosmol/l solution is also recommended to promote effective gastric emptying and dispel concerns for gastric emptying. CF(Preop)® meets this requirement. The recommended approach is to provide a carbohydrate drink with complex carbohydrates 800mL at bedtime and 400mL 2 hours prior to any procedure. The drink should contain 12.5% maltodextrin to allow for complete gastric emptying prior to surgery. CF(Preop)® meets this requirement as well so there is no concern for delayed gastric emptying.

What are the benefits of CF(Preop)®?

To enhance recovery after surgery, it is important to decrease PIR. Preoperative carbohydrate loading maximizes glycogen stores in the body as an energy source in order to minimize degeneration of body tissues and reduce insulin resistance. By changing the metabolic state, by shortening preoperative fasting (aka providing a complex carbohydrate 2-3 hours prior to surgery like CF(Preop)®, PIR will be decreased, protein loss will be reduced, and muscle function will improve. Additionally, preoperative carbohydrate loading increases patients comfort and reduces hunger, thirst, and anxiety, all decreasing stress entering surgery. In conclusion, consuming CF(Preop)®before your procedure is not only safe but also beneficial in your recovery outcomes.

Now you know everything you need to know about CF(Preop)® and why it is so important to consume before surgery.

Categories
Featured Posts For Med Pros Preparing for Surgery Presurgery Nutrition

How do I use CF(Protein)® to Prepare for Surgery?

Whether you’re trying to preserve muscle mass following a procedure or replenish your body with nutrients after an athletic event, adding protein to your diet is a great way to give your body what it needs to be its best. CF(Protein)® was created for both ease and enjoyment. Thirteen grams of delicious, clean plant protein is packed into an 8-oz bottle that can be enjoyed on-the-go!

What are the benefits of CF(Protein)®?

CF(Protein)® is a plant-based protein drink that provides a concentrated dose of natural electrolytes, antioxidants, and essential fats. CF(Protein)® is a great choice for anyone who is preparing for, or recovering from surgery. Plant protein is the modern way to give your body the best nutrients with the lowest impact on your digestive system.

Some benefits of drinking CF(Protein)® are:

·      Promote muscle maintenance, repair, and recovery

·      Strengthen the immune system

·      Reduce risk of malnourishment

·      Antioxidants & anti-inflammatory ingredients

·      Concentrated nutrition on-the-go

·      Healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fats

·      Naturally derived vitamins & minerals

·      Essential amino acids

·      Natural fiber sources

·      No artificial colors or flavors

·      Shelf-stable

·      Gluten-Free, Kosher, Vegan, Dairy-Free

·      Convenient on-the-go protein source

How much CF(Protein)® should I drink leading up to surgery?

Each CF(Protein)® has 13 g of protein per bottle. So, depending on what else you are eating and drinking, and your specific protein needs, consuming 1 to 2 CF(Protein)® drinks per day can help ensure you are optimizing your nutrition prior to surgery. Prior to surgery, drinking 1-2 bottles per day (in addition to a well-balanced diet) for at least 2 weeks prior to surgery, will help you to feel strong and well-nourished for your operation. CF(Protein)® is not designed to be a sole source of nutrition. Therefore, consuming whole foods high in protein, is recommended before and after surgery in order to meet your protein and calorie needs.

What else is in CF(Protein)® other than protein?  

In addition to the protein content in CF(Protein)®, it also contains chia seed oil and turmeric which are anti-inflammatory. These will also help to ensure you are at optimal nutrition status for your surgery as well as strengthen your immune system. The antioxidants in CF(Protein)® will help you to fight off diseases and strengthen your immunity.

How do I determine my protein needs before surgery?  

There are a variety of factors that determine your specific protein needs. These include your age, activity level, chronic diseases, weight, and fitness goals. Typically, someone who is preparing for, or recovering from surgery has increased protein needs. This is to help the body ensure a speedy recovery.

To determine how much protein you need before or after surgery, take your body weight in kilograms and times it by 1.5 to 2.0. 

So, if you weigh 150LB:

·      Divide your weight in LB by 2.2 to get your weight in kg

o  150/2.2 = 68.2 kg

·      Next, multiply your body weight by 1.5 to 2.0

o  68 times 1.5=102; 68 times 2.0=136 g

·      You should consume 102-136 g per day of protein

If you have any chronic disease like COPD, Chronic Kidney disease, End Stage Renal Disease, HIV, or Cancer, please consult with your doctor or dietitian to determine your protein needs as they may be lower or higher based on your specific condition.

What if I am underweight?

If you are malnourished, it is important that you ensure adequate calories and protein leading up to your surgery. Nutritional status is crucial prior to surgery. A nutritional assessment should be completed prior to any surgery to reduce the risk for postoperative complications, increased length of stay, and risk for infection. A patient can be diagnosed with mild or severe malnutrition by the MD. A Registered Dietitian can also assess the patient for mild to severe malnutrition. 

Why is it important to correct malnutrition before surgery?

It is imperative to correct malnutrition in a patient prior to their surgery. Research proves that malnutrition is a leading reason for poor outcomes postoperative. Studies show that preoperative nutritional deficiency is a strong predictor of 90 days mortality and poor overall survival. Nutrition status can be improved with recommendations from a Registered Dietitian. Common recommendations include high protein supplements such as CF(Protein)®. CF(Protein)® is a plant-based protein product with complete nutrition to help build muscle and strength for a speedy recovery. Other ways to improve nutritional status can include enteral or parenteral nutrition. For obese patients, it is often required to lose excess weight prior to surgery.

If you are preparing for an upcoming surgery, CF(Protein)® can help you meet your increased protein needs and get your body ready for surgery. Visit our website https://drinkclearfast.com/ to learn more.

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Featured Posts For Med Pros Preparing for Surgery Presurgery Nutrition

Importance of Preoperative Nutrition Before Surgery

Nutrition plays a crucial role in surgical outcomes. Implementing nutrition screening and correcting malnutrition before surgery can help reduce readmission rates, postoperative infections, and length of stay. By understanding the components of preoperative nutrition medical professionals can help ensure patients receive the best standard of care.

What is preoperative nutrition?

Preoperative nutrition covers a wide variety of interventions—including nutrition screens, correcting nutrition status before surgery, patient education, and carbohydrate loading up to two hours before surgery. There is a lot involved in preoperative nutrition, and understanding each component can significantly enhance recovery, which is why it is a major component of ERAS®. 

Why does preoperative nutrition matter?

There is a strong association between poor nutrition status and surgical outcomes. Several studies report that preoperative nutrition to correct poor nutrition status improves outcomes postoperatively. To understand the importance of preoperative nutrition and correcting nutrition status before surgery, consider surgery analogous to a marathon. Before a marathon, you train for an extended period to ensure you will finish the race with the fastest time possible. If you have any injuries or illness, you would likely postpone running the marathon until you were healthy because, if not, you will not run as fast and perhaps wouldn’t even be able to finish the race. In the grand scheme of things, surgery is far more critical than running a marathon, so ensuring patients put in the same “training” to enter surgery at their strongest leads to smoother, faster recoveries.

What is the risk of preoperative malnutrition?

Preoperative malnutrition increases the risk for mortality and morbidity, and also increases costs. Malnutrition and cachexia are caused by proinflammatory cytokine response, inadequate dietary intake, and catabolic effects (Ward et al.). Preoperative malnutrition leads to increased susceptibility to infection, impaired wound healing, pressure ulcers, and increased length of stay (Abdelhamid et al.). Therefore, patients who are severely malnourished should correct malnutrition before surgery. In some cases, surgery is postponed until malnutrition is resolved.

Malnutrition and Surgery

Ideally, a nutrition assessment before any surgery can diagnose malnutrition. A Doctor or Registered Dietitian can evaluate the patient for mild to severe malnutrition. The Academy Adult Malnutrition Criteria (ASPEN) has specific criteria to identify malnutrition.

       Research proves that malnutrition is a leading cause of poor postoperative outcomes and it is a strong predictor of 90 days mortality and poor overall survival. Ward et al. suggest that preoperative anorexia and malnutrition increase postoperative complications in Whipple procedures. Furthermore, malnutrition in patients with pancreatic cancer can lead to cancer-related cachexia, defined as greater than 10% weight loss over six months.

CF Nutrition’s Role in helping prevent malnutrition

Nutrition status can improve with recommendations from a Registered Dietitian. Typical recommendations include high-protein supplements in the weeks leading up to surgery, such as CF(Protein)®.  CF(Protein)® is a plant-based protein drink patients can consume in the days and weeks leading up to surgery to optimize nutrition. It contains high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and anti-inflammatory ingredients that will enhance the immune system and optimize overall health. It is a complete nutrition product to help build muscle and strength for a speedy recovery.

Other ways to improve nutritional status can include enteral or parenteral nutrition if protein beverages are not enough to restore nutrition status. For obese patients, it is often required to lose excess weight before surgery. The macronutrient excess in those with obesity can be associated with chronic inflammation, sarcopenia, and micronutrient deficiency.

What about preoperative carb-loading?

Surgery induces a catabolic effect on the body. Reducing the fasting period can help reduce this catabolic effect and enhance recovery. Preoperative carbohydrate loading is also an essential component of preoperative nutrition. Prolonged fasting before surgery may cause detrimental effects. Prolonged fasting worsens the catabolic state, and increases metabolic stress, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance. Furthermore, when the body fasts for a prolonged time, glycogen stores are depleted, leading to protein and muscle breakdown. Postoperative insulin resistance (PIR), a result of the stress response from surgery and further exaggerated with prolonged fasting, is related to delayed wound healing, increased morbidity/mortality, and LOS. Decreased PIR sets patients up for a smoother recovery.

Preoperative carbohydrate loading maximizes glycogen stores in the body as an energy source to minimize body tissue degeneration and reduce PIR. When you change the metabolic state by shortening preoperative fasting, PIR decreases, protein loss drops, and muscle function will improve. Additionally, preoperative carbohydrate loading increases patients’ comfort and reduces hunger, thirst, and anxiety leading up to surgery. Ultimately decreasing stress entering surgery. Our anesthesiologist-developed product, CF(Preop)®, may be consumed before surgery to enhance recovery and shift the body from a fasting to a fed state.

How does preoperative nutrition benefit the medical professional?

Screening patients’ nutritional status, correcting malnutrition and providing preoperative nutrition benefits patients and medical professionals alike. The patient will benefit from a smoother recovery—while the medical professional will benefit from cost savings, reduced length of stay and postoperative complications, increased patient satisfaction, and lower readmission rates.

  In summary, preoperative nutrition is a critical component of surgery. Nutrition screenings, correcting malnutrition, and preoperative carbohydrate loading are necessary interventions before performing surgery. CF Nutrition is here to help you better understand preoperative nutrition and how to incorporate it into your practice. Our products promote a smooth recovery and improved surgical outcomes. 

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Preparing for Surgery Presurgery Nutrition

Improved Recovery From Surgery with CF(Preop)®

Recovery from surgery with CF(Preop)

Our team of nutritionists get asked one question pretty darn frequently: “What’s the magical ingredient in ClearFast that helps you recover from surgery?” Patients and clinicians so often want to know what the one secret ingredient is in our formulation that makes for reduced length of hospital stay, decreased risk of infection, decreased risk of post-op nausea, and a stronger, smoother surgery recovery. Today, then, we thought we’d dive into this frequently asked question to serve up some clarity. Read on for the answer!

What’s the secret ingredient in CF(Preop) that helps you recover from surgery?
Ah, we wish it was that simple, but—spoiler alert—there’s actually no magical ingredient that does the job on its own. Instead, every single ingredient in our anesthesiologist-developed formula works together to create a smoother surgery and enhanced recovery. 

Why isn’t there one star ingredient in CF(Preop) that helps you recover from surgery?
When a board-certified anesthesiologist was working to develop ClearFast, she did so with one goal in mind: to empower patients to take control of their surgery experience. She saw so many patients coming in for surgery under- or mal-nourished (especially after following the old-school “nothing from midnight” fast)—which led to an array of complications like surgical infections and a slow, complicated recovery.

Both modern medical research pointed to the fact that going into surgery nourished—instead of starved and dehydrated—was the key for a smoother, faster surgery recovery. (The healthier and better nourished you are before surgery, the faster and stronger your recovery after surgery.) So, instead of focusing on finding one “magical” ingredient, she developed a formula that contains exactly what patients need—and in the precise quantities they need it—for powerful clinical nutrition and medical-grade hydration in one proven product.

What ingredients in CF(Preop) help you nourish before your procedure and recover from surgery?

We’re so glad you asked! Our formula leverages a handful of natural, science-backed ingredients proven to enhance your surgery recovery in one tasty presurgery drink. They include:

  • Zinc Sulfate: Supports the immune system to keep you strong and safe as you enter surgery
  • Vitamin A: Has powerful antioxidant properties
  • L-Citrulline: Promotes circulation and wound healing for a faster recovery
  • Filtered Water: Ensures you (and your veins) are hydrated for easier IV “sticks” 
  • Citric Acid: For kidney health and free radical neutralization
  • Maltodextrin: Complex carbs for medical-grade nourishment and reduced muscle-mass loss

Is there anything you leave out of CF(Preop)?

Every product we formulate here at ClearFast—from our presurgery drinks to our plant protein drinks—are designed to help you nourish naturally, so you’ll never find added sugars, artificial ingredients, or unnecessary fillers in anything we make. 

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Ready to start working doctor-trusted, patient-preferred premium clinical nutrition into your presurgery nutrition plan? You can order CF(PreOp)® here.  And, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all. We’re always here and happy to help!

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Preparing for Surgery

Importance of ERAS® in a COVID-19 World

ERAS during COVID 19

As COVID-19 is now a part of our daily lives, it’s so important patients do everything they can to ensure their body is strong and healthy as they enter a hospital setting for surgery. Today, then, we’re diving deep into ERAS® (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) and why it’s more important now than ever. Read on for everything you need to know about a safe surgery and strong recovery—even during the crazy times of Coronavirus!

What is ERAS?

We’re glad you asked! Enhanced Recovery After Surgery—known in the medical field as  ERAS—is a program all about facilitating a faster recovery by taking proactive steps before surgery to reduce the amount of stress the body undergoes during surgery. 

What is the ERAS program?

ERAS programs focus on implementing different practices to ensure recovering from your procedure is as safe, healthy, and seamless as it can be. These programs are comprised of 17 key elements for your doctors to follow—like pre-admission counseling for patients, the use of short-acting anaesthetic agents, and fluid-fasting with a presurgery drink in place of the traditional “no food or drink after midnight” fast. When you and your doctor follow the elements of an ERAS program, they work together to ensure better surgical outcomes and—just like its name says—an enhanced recovery after surgery.

Why does ERAS matter more now? 

There are a few reasons following ERAS is more important during COVID-19 than it’s ever before been (though we’d argue it’s always pretty darn important!).

  • The first is that surgery stresses and suppresses your immune system, which isn’t ideal as hospitals are battling COVID-19. If you have to be stuck in a hospital for surgery during a pandemic, you want to make sure your immune system is as strong as it can be to handle any unwelcome invaders that might come its way—and following an ERAS program is one of the most effective ways you can do this. (Psst..check out a few other ways you can give your immune system a boost before surgery).

  • The second is that getting out of a hospital fast is pivotal in the midst of a pandemic. Both for your safety (most importantly!) and to help keep resources available for COVID patients, you don’t want to spend any more time than is necessary in a hospital bed. The great news is that ERAS programs are proven to shorten hospital stays. In fact, according to a PubMed analysis of randomized trials, “Three of four included studies showed significantly shorter primary lengths of stay for patients enrolled in enhanced recovery programs.” So, following an ERAS program is a great way to get you out of those scratchy hospital sheets and back home safely, faster.

How can I implement ERAS protocols before my surgery? 

The act of undergoing anesthesia is super stressful on the human body. Because of this, the idea behind ERAS is to prepare our bodies for that stressful experience in a more purposeful way than we have in the past. There are a number of things you can do to implement an ERAS protocol before your surgery, including: 

  • Quit smoking and avoid alcohol
  • Exercise and lose weight if needed
  • Make healthy dietary choices and implement a presurgery nutrition plan before your procedure
  • Replace the “nothing from midnight” rule with a specific fluid fast with CF(PreOp)®

Psst…lingering on that last bullet-point and wondering why ERAS has you replace the nothing-from-midnight fast with a fluid fast using a clinical nutrition drink like CF(PreOp)®? Practices that have patients refrain from eating or drinking anything after midnight are outdated and can lead to post-op nausea and vomiting (PONV) amongst other issues. Instead, modern medical research points to the fact that replacing the old-school nothing-from-midnight fast with a clear, carbohydrate-rich beverage leads to a reduced risk of aspiration, a decreased chance of PONV, a faster recovery, and a shortened overall hospital stay. Sign us up!

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Ready to start working doctor-trusted, patient-preferred premium clinical nutrition into your everyday diet as you focus on following proven ERAS protocols for your upcoming procedure? You can order CF(PreOp)® here or CF(Protein)® here.  And, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all. We’re always here and happy to help!

Categories
Healing Tips Preparing for Surgery Presurgery Nutrition Wellness + Medical Tips

Clearfast Clinical Nutrition for Surgery

We talk a lot about clinical nutrition here at ClearFast. So, today, we thought we’d break down everything you need to know about this all-important medical term—including what it is and the difference it can make in your health journey. Read on for all you need to know!

What is clinical nutrition?
Simply put, clinical nutrition is nutrition designed to support your medical journey and help you achieve optimal health. A clinical nutrition plan will take into account how your body processes, stores, and discards food for your overall well being—as well as your medical history and the results of any laboratory tests. Clinical nutrition is designed to support you with the necessary vitamins, proteins, minerals, and nutrients your body needs when your health isn’t at its best. It aims to help patients achieve a healthy energy balance and is used in both in- and out-patient healthcare settings.

How is clinical nutrition used?
That’s a great question! While the end-goals of clinical nutrition may vary depending on the patient, they’re always health-based. Some things it can be used to achieve include:

  • Preventing diseases (By boosting “good” cholesterol and reducing unhealthy triglycerides, clinical nutrition can help decrease your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes.)
  • Optimizing your everyday diet
  • Optimizing your nutrient intake
  • Treating/minimizing/managing symptoms of autoimmune diseases or other ailments
  • Increasing the chance of a successful surgery
  • Enhancing/speeding up recovery after surgery

What clinical nutrition options are available?
When it comes to clinical nutrition, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution—but there is an array of options you can explore when it comes to working clinical nutrition into your everyday life. These include:

  • Personal clinical nutritionist: Speak to a clinical nutritionist about optimizing an everyday nutrition plan that’s right for you. This can be an especially great route to go if you suffer from any health ailments or diseases and are struggling to manage your symptoms. A clinical nutritionist will look at your health history, the way your body processes nutrients, any allergies you might have, as well as your symptoms to help you create a custom clinical nutrition program designed to ensure you feel your best. 

  • CFpreop®: Developed by an anesthesiologist, CFpreop is a premium clinical nutrition presurgery drink designed to help your body easily—and quickly—get the nutrients it needs to enter surgery stronger and recover quicker. Each of its science-backed ingredients work together to decrease infection rates, lower feelings of anxiety, reduce post-op nausea and vomiting, and speed up your recovery. The best part? CFpreop uses only high-quality, all-natural ingredients—so you’ll never find dairy, gluten, synthetic ingredients, or artificial sweeteners in any bottle of CFpreop. Plus, its ingredients are ethically sourced and every bottle of CFpreop is formulated at the ClearFast lab in the United States to ensure unparalleled product integrity. 

  • CFprotein®: Our answer to the old, outdated clinical protein drinks that have been on the market for years, CFprotein is a super effective, industry-leading option for patients seeking premium clinical nutrition at an affordable price-point. A clean plant protein drink designed to get patients strong and healthy in the weeks leading up to and following surgery, CFprotein offers a quick, convenient way to give your body the premium clinical nutrition it needs to enter anesthesia stronger and recover faster. Supplementing a healthy diet with CFprotein helps you build a solid nutritional foundation for your upcoming procedure, so you can avoid going into surgery under- or malnourished. While CFpreop is designed to drink in the hours leading up to surgery (helping you get premium clinical nutrition in the critical fasting window), CFprotein is designed to drink in the days, weeks, and months leading up to surgery.

PRO TIP: While ClearFast drinks are anesthesiologist-developed and designed with surgery in mind, they’re also great for working premium clinical nutrition into your everyday nutrition plan—even if you don’t have a procedure on the books! Whether you’re hydrating after a night of overindulging, treating your kiddos to tasty hydration (sans artificial sugars and colored dyes) on the sidelines of a soccer game, or looking for a quick-and-easy way to meet your daily protein requirements—both CFpreop® and CFprotein® have an array of uses that go far beyond the four walls of an operating room. 

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Ready to start working doctor-trusted, patient-preferred premium clinical nutrition into your everyday diet? You can order CFpreop here or CFprotein here.  And, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all. We’re always here and happy to help!

Categories
Featured Posts Pediatrics Preparing for Surgery

Prepare For Surgery with CF Nutrition’s CF(Preop)®

If you or your little one has a first-time surgery on the books and you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Surgery can be scary and stressful for those who’ve undergone anesthesia multiple times—let alone for those who have never had a procedure before and aren’t quite sure what to expect. At ClearFast, it’s always our mission to empower patients with the tools, resources, and premium clinical nutrition they need to take control of their surgery experience—which is why we’re diving into our CFpreop presurgery drink today and offering up three ways it’s helpful for first-time surgeries. Read on for our top tips!

1. It calms nerves.

While CFpreop can do everything from decrease your risk of developing a surgical infection to speed up your recovery time, one of its most important benefits is peace-of-mind. Entering surgery after a 12-hour fast can have your nerves at an all-time high, which is why safely nourishing during the fasting window with our anesthesiologist-developed presurgery drink is key for those undergoing a procedure for the first time. In fact, patients who drink CFpreop before surgery are often less anxious and describe themselves as up to 5 times more comfortable than their cohorts who underwent the old-school nothing-from-midnight method.

2. It’s especially helpful for children.

Outside of nerves and fear, one of the most difficult things for children undergoing a procedure is often the nothing-from-midnight fast. Because our presurgery drink was developed by an anesthesiologist specifically to address the nuances of nourishing before surgery without disrupting your doctor’s instructions to fast, it’s the perfect option for little ones who have trouble skipping their morning juice box or breakfast. Available in white grape, watermelon, and strawberry flavors, our presurgery drink is especially tasty when chilled and, because it’s chock-full of complex carbs and medical-grade nutrients, it helps kids feel full and satisfied before surgery.

3. It reduces your risk of post-op nausea and vomiting. 

If you’ve never undergone anesthesia before, you don’t know just how your body will react to it, which is why it’s important to take steps to ensure your body is in the strongest, safest state possible to be administered anesthesia. According to an article published in Continuing Education in Anaesthesia Critical Care & Pain, one in three patients suffer from post-op nausea and vomiting (or PONV)—something that can delay your recovery and extend your hospital stay. The key causes of PONV are two-fold: First, prolonged fasting (from the typical nothing-from-midnight fast) causes an unnecessary build-up of stomach acid, and these stomach acids are one major cause of feeling sick when you wake up from surgery. Second, the anesthesia drugs themselves, taken on an empty stomach, can cause patients to get sick after surgery. 

Our anesthesiologist-developed presurgery drink, then, was specifically formulated to address this issue. Drinking CFpreop before your procedure ensures your stomach isn’t producing all of those nasty stomach acids that make you sick when you’re administered the anesthesia, helping to reduce your risk of post-op nausea and vomiting (and getting you out of the hospital faster!).

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Overall, if you’re looking for a smart, simple, science-based solution for a smoother first-time surgery and easier recovery, and quicker hospital discharge, CFpreop is here for you! You can order your bottles of CFpreop here, and, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all. We’re always here and happy to help!

Categories
Featured Posts Preparing for Surgery Wellness + Medical Tips

Pre-Surgery Plan for Success

Surgery can be a major stressor on your body, but you can combat the effects of that stress (and speed up your recovery) by ensuring you’re strong, nourished, and healthy before you head into your procedure. To help you on your road to a seamless recovery, we’re breaking down five simple ways to get healthy for surgery. Read on for our top tips!

  1. Shift your mindset and treat yourself to wellness. 

Rather than thinking of getting healthy as a daunting, diet-laden task, shift your mindset and think of it as a treat (hear us out). Getting healthy doesn’t (and shouldn’t) be all crash-dieting and early-morning trips to the gym. Instead, make getting healthy for surgery exciting and fun by embarking on wellness experiences you’ll actually look forward to. Think about things like salt-room meditation sessions, athletic massages, getting extra rest, or treating yourself to soothing wellness products like the essential oils and organic lip balms you’ll find in the ClearFast Healing Boxes.

  1. Look for existing opportunities to exercise.

If you’re someone who loathes traditional workouts, it might seem like a major chore to get healthy for surgery, but there are plenty of opportunities to burn a few extra calories hiding in your everyday routine that don’t require a gym membership. Park further from stores so you’re encouraged to walk a bit more; take the stairs instead of the elevator; bike to work instead of hopping in your car if it’s feasible; walk to pick your child up from school instead of driving. The options are endless. The key is simply to take a look at your everyday routine and see what opportunities there are to move more!

  1. Get plenty of protein (the good kind). 

Rather than getting all of your protein from animal sources, which are often high in fat and hard to digest, opt for clean plant protein sources as you work to get healthy for surgery. One seriously simple way to consume clean protein on a daily basis? CFprotein®, our clean plant protein drink that was specifically formulated to drink in the days and weeks leading up to your surgery, helping you enter anesthesia stronger and recover from surgery faster. (Want to know more about how our clean plant protein drink compares to animal protein? Check out our post on 4 Reasons You Should be Drinking a Plant-Based Protein Drink.)

  1. Participate in challenges

Calling all competitive spirits! One exciting way to get healthy for surgery is to participate in challenges. Whether it’s a yoga studio’s 30-day challenge or a challenge you set for yourself to get at least 4,000 steps in each day, challenges are great motivators and add a fun-factor to things we might otherwise dread.

  1. Eat Clean

We saved the most effective for last. There’s no better way to  get healthy for surgery than to feed your body the nourishment it needs in the weeks leading up to your procedure, ultimately giving it a strong, solid foundation to recover as quickly and seamlessly as possible. Get plenty of fiber through things like nuts, berries, avocados, whole grains, and vegetables; swap out the red meat in your recipes for lean meat (like turkey meat); and drink plenty of water and healing fluids like CFpreop® along the way.

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Now that you’re nourished, exercised, and healthy for that upcoming procedure, it’s time to order your CFpreop® and CFprotein® for a seamless stay and enhanced recovery. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all! 

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